Quest: This is the hero quest which the archetype has set out on.
Fear: This is the fear that is usually the motivating factor for undergoing the quest.
Dragon: This represents the major problem or obstacle of the quest, the opposition that must be overcome in order for the quest to be successful.
Task: This is the task that the hero must accomplish in order to succeed at the quest.
Virtue: Succeeding at the quest earns the hero these rewards of self.
The Innocent
Quest: To remain in safety.
Fear: Being abandoned.
Dragon: Will deny it or seek outside rescue from it.
Task: To gain fidelity and discernment.
Virtue: Trust and optimism.
The Orphan
Quest: To regain safety.
Fear: Being exploited.
Dragon: Will be victimized by it.
Task: To process and feel pain fully.
Virtue: Interdependence and realism.
The Warrior
Quest: To win.
Fear: Weakness.
Dragon: Will slay or confront it.
Task: To fight only for what really matters.
Virtue: Courage and discipline.
The Caregiver
Quest: To help others.
Fear: Selfishness.
Dragon: Will take care of it and those it harms.
Task: To give without maiming self or others.
Virtue: Compassion and generosity.
The Seeker
Quest: To search for a better life.
Fear: Conformity.
Dragon: Will flee from it.
Task: To be true to the deeper self.
Virtue: Autonomy and ambition.
The Lover
Quest: To gain bliss.
Fear: Loss of love.
Dragon: Will love it.
Task: To follow bliss.
Virtue: Passion and commitment.
The Destroyer
Quest: To metamorphosis.
Fear: Annihilation.
Dragon: Will allow dragon to destroy oneself.
Task: To let go.
Virtue: Humility.
The Creator
Quest: To gain identity.
Fear: Of being illusionary.
Dragon: will claim it as part of oneself.
Task: To self-create and self-accept.
Virtue: Individuality and vocation.
The Sage
Quest: To find truth.
Fear: Deception.
Dragon: To transcend it.
Task: To attain enlightenment.
Virtue: Wisdom and non-attachment.
The Ruler
Quest: To create order.
Fear: Of creating chaos.
Dragon: Will find constructive uses for it.
Task: To take full responsibility.
Virtue: Responsibility and control.
The Magician
Quest: To transform.
Fear: Of assuming evil sorcery.
Dragon: Will transform it.
Task: To align with the cosmos.
Virtue: Personal power.
The Fool
Quest: To enjoy life for its own sake.
Fear: Of being not-alive.
Dragon: Will play tricks on it.
Task: To trust in the process of becoming.
Virtue: Joy and freedom.
For a deeper, more detailed understanding and some alternate views of the archetype system, check out some of these links:
- Hero Within goes into detail on (and gets more specific about) each of the 12 archetypes.
- A chart showing the 12 archetypes as a progression, rather than as a continuum; very interesting.
